When the client first approached us, the house was situated in a large surround of agricultural land, without any spatial definitions or planting. The large scale site was windswept and barren. Our design intent was to create a series of enclosed pockets throughout this large landscape. This was achieved through using a series of enclosing elements such as trees, walls and hedges, creating defined zones. 

The beating heart of the design is a family oriented patio, which boosts an outdoor fire, kitchen and covered dining area. Adjacent to the main patio space is a children’s play area for passive surveillance. 

Governing the lawn is a Victorian style glasshouse which the family will use for organic vegetable protection. 

A plantation of multi species parkland trees creates an envelope that seals the perimeter of the landscape, which opens up at certain sections to reveal the surrounding views. 

From a materiality point of view, the porcelain of the patio was chosen to rhyme in with the colour of the sandstone brick paving and natural sandstone walls. Their cream colour creates a soft backdrop for the design. Selective use of corten steels adds warmth. Green walls and roofs are used to add planting to the vertical plain, softening the walls, which are necessary in such a vast landscape.

Amelanchier lamarckii is used in the patio area to provide structure and passive shade. A muted planting style is employed, grasses and shrubs provide a visual impact. Pennisetum hameln and miscanthus sinensis ferner osten grasses are used. Geranium clarkei Kashmir white and Astrantia major provide sophisticated pops of colour throughout the planting scheme.